H.R. 7 is a bipartisan bill that will help those in need by creating new incentives for charitable giving by individuals and corporations, as well as provide technical assistance to smaller charities so that they can work more effectively.

Democrats will likely offer a substitute that will ensure that the bill doesn't increase the deficit and may contain other improvements.

It offers a good opportunity for positive press in almost any district.

Please see the attached materials provided by the Office of Harold Ford, the lead Democratic sponsor of H.R. 7, for assistance in doing press on the Charitable Giving Act:

Summary of the Bill

Dear Colleague on the Bill

Talking Points on the Bill

H.R.2115 - Century of Aviation FAA reauthorization Conference Report

The reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration is traditionally a bipartisan bill. Regrettably, this Congress, the Republicans have used this bill to ram controversial, special-interest provisions through the Conference Committee. Moreover, the Republicans provided Democrats no opportunity to review or offer amendments to any of the controversial provisions included in the Conference Report. Indeed, the Conference Committee never even voted on any of the controversial provisions included in the Report. As a result, for the first time ever, no House or Senate Democrat signed the FAA Reauthorization Conference Report, and Ranking Member Oberstar is strongly opposed to the Conference Report.

Controversial provisions in the Republican FAA Reauthorization Conference Report undermine aviation safety and security and weaken the strength of the airline industry and its workers:

Republicans Seek to Privatize the Air Traffic Control System.

Republicans Gut Anti-Terrorism Training for Flight Attendants.

Republicans Allow Foreign Airlines to Raid U.S.Marketplaces.

Please see the attached materials provided by the Democratic Staff of the House Transportation Committee and the Office of the Democratic Whip for assistance in doing press on the FAA Reauthorization Conference Report:

A summary of the controversial provisions in the FAA Conference Report

A letter from Congressman Oberstar to Secretary of Transportation Mineta

A press release and statement from Congressman Oberstar on the Air Traffic Control System Integrity Act of 2003, which would prohibit the federal government from turning the nation's air traffic control (ATC) system over to private operators, and the main provisions of which were contained in the House bill until Chairman Young replaced it.